Laurel Falls Trail Temporarily Closed Due to Storm Damage

November 3, 2014 - Press Release from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Service

Laurel Falls Trail: Photo provided by
National Park Service

Great Smoky Mountains National Park
officials announced the temporary closure of Laurel Falls
Trail due to storm damage.

The trail will reopen on Friday,
November 7. The trail received between 7 and 8
inches of snow during the storm event on November 1. The
heavy, wet snow clung to the foliage causing several trees
and limbs to come down blocking the trail. In addition, a
tree uprooted near the trail pulling out a 5-foot section of
paved trail.

“Laurel Falls is one of our most
popular trails in the park and we are working diligently to
make the needed repairs so that it can be safely reopened
for hikers,” said Acting Superintendent Clay Jordan.

Trail crews will construct a
20-foot-long retaining wall to rebuild the missing trail
segment and remove fallen trees along the entire 1.7 miles
of trail. The park expects to reopen the trail on Friday
morning.